December 8: The Inter Government Committee Meeting on Trade and Transshipment between Nepal and India concluded on Monday (December 7) with an understanding to step up efforts to curb unauthorized business in border areas.

The secretary-level meeting was held to discuss and endorse the agenda of an earlier meeting held on December 3-4.

Monday’s meeting decided to curb unauthorized business in border areas. Both sides pledged to ban illegal businesses within their jurisdiction in border areas. Nepal and India also agreed to set up modern infrastructure at customs points to discourage illegal trade and business, informed Urmila KC, deputy spokesperson at the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies.

“Both sides made commitment to curb illegal businesses in their respective areas,” said KC.

Last week, Indian businessmen and entrepreneurs had met with India’s Industry and Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and urged him to regulate unauthorized entry of Nepali goods.

They had informed the minister that the Indian businesses were on the verge of collapse due to the government’s failure in regulating import of goods, especially edible oil from Nepal. Minister Goyal had assured the Indian businessmen to resolve their problem.

Secretary at the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies Dr Baikuntha Aryal, his Indian counterpart Anup Badhwa and Indian ambassador to Nepal Binaya Mohan Kwatra had attended Monday’s virtual meeting. Representatives of various ministries of both the countries were also present during the meeting.

The two sides also discussed trade between the two countries. Discussions were also held in topics like trade and transshipment treaty and its review, amendment of railway agreement, promoting investment and formation of joint commerce forum among other issues.